Wire projectile receiving frame

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus is disclosed herein including a wire frame which is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and which further includes a netting arrangement extending between the members of the frame so as to provide a wide mesh basket having an open entrance leading into the interior thereof. Handle grips are carried on members of the frame that may be readily grasped by the hands of the user during a game. Various components or members of the frame are detachably connected so that the apparatus may be readily disassembled for shipment.

United States Patent Bourdamis 1 Sept. 16, 1975 l l WIRE PROJECTILE RECEIVING FRAME I [76] Inventor: George M. Bourdamis, 8024 Prlmary b'mmlrfer Rlchar d APley woodman, Panorama City, Calif ASSISIGHI Examiner-Marvin Siskmd 91402 Attorney, Agent, or FzrmRoger A. Marrs [22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1974 5 7 1 ABSTRACT A game apparatus is disclosed herein including a wire frame which is substantially U-shaped in cross-section [52] US. Cl. 273/96 R; 220/19 and which further includes a netting arrangement ex- [51] Int. Cl. A63B 71/02 tending between the members of the frame so as to [58] Field of Search 273/96 R, 95 R, 102 R, provide a wide mesh basket having'an open entrance 273/102 S, 105 R; 220/19 leading into the interior thereof. Handle grips are carried on members of the frame that may be readily [56] References Cited grasped by the hands of the user during a game. Vari- UNITED STATES PATENTS ous components or members of the frame are detach- 1 |7o.94x 2/1916 Achershaug 273/96 R l Connected so ,that the apparatus may be main) 1,866,158 7/1932 Goodwin 4 273/96 R dlsassembled for Shlpmem 2.075372 3/1937 Taylor 273/96 R 2201.802 5 1940 Steiner 273/96 R 5 Clams 6 Drawmg F'gures I Y I l 7 2O 2 WIRE PROJECTILE RECEIVING FRAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a game apparatus and equipment therefor and more particularly to a novel hand manipulated catching and launching device for a ball used in the procedure of play.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past, numerous devices and apparatus have been employed in the preformance of games which are hand held for the purpose of catching or launching missiles such as balls. Difficulties have been encountered with such apparatus that are due largely to the fact that they are cumbersome and usually tiring since they are held by one hand. Furthermore, such prior and conventional game equipment is relatively small so as to accommodate a small projectile. However, the apparatus is totally unsuited for large missiles such as basket balls, volley balls or the like. Although net baskets have been provided in the past for such large missiles, the baskets are stationary and are not intended to be portable and hand held by one of the players.

Such prior art attempts to provide portable baskets are disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,697,074; 2,835,494; and 1,964,232. Although these devices are employed for catching or throwing missiles, they suffer from the above noted difficulties and problems.

Therefore, a long standing need is present to provide a game apparatus that is portable and which will accommodate a large missile such as a basket ball or volley ball during the performance of play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The .above problems and difficulties encountered with conventional game apparatus is obviated by'the present invention which provides a frame means for supporting a wide mesh netting and having an enlarged entrance or opening leading into the interior so as to accommodate the catching or launching of a missile used in the preformance of playing the game. Preferably, the frame means is a single tubular or rod member that is configured to provide support for the netting in the general shape of a basket. Means are provided so that the frame may be carried by the hands of a user during the preformance of play.

Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel game apparatus that is portable and may be readily held by both hands of the user during play so as to catch or throw a missile used in the game.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a economical and easily constructed game device for catching and launching missiles such as volley balls or the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming device that may be readily stacked for storage or that may be laid flat for shipment purposes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel game equipment which permits a wide range and variety of games to be played involving throwing and catching of balls wherein the equipment is portable and maneuverable by a player during the course of play.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operations, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel g'ame apparatus incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken in the direction of arrows 2-2 of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a detachable joint used in the structure of the game apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as taken in the direction of arrows 33 thereof; 7

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the detach able connection shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a reduced side elevational view showing a plurality of game devices stacked for storage or shipment purposes; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the major components of the game apparatus detached for shipment in a flat condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the novel game apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 10. The apparatus includes an elongated rod which is bent at specific and critical locations so as to provide a frame member for supporting a netting. In the drawing, the frame is generally indicated by numeral I 1 and specifically, includes component sections or segments. These segments are identified as sections 12 and 13 which are elongated members on opposite sides of the device wherein selected terminating ends are joined together by an arcuate cross bar or member 14. The opposite ends of sections 12 and 13 are connected to intermediate members 14 and 15 which interconnect with side sections 16 and 17. It is to be noted that sections 12, 14 and 16 are identical to sections l3, l5 and 17 and that these may be said to comprise a subassembly which is of a U shaped configuration. Also, it to be noted that the arcuate member 14 interconnects the two sub-sections so as to form an integral unit/If preferred, arcuate section 14 may be a part of the same tube or rod forming the two sub-sections so that a single rod is configured to the required shape and configuration. However, as illustrated, the opposite ends of arcuate portion 14 are joined to the respective opposing ends of sections 12 and 13 by a detachable or releasable connection as shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4.

It is also to be noted that the netting is indicated by numeral 18 and that the netting is primarily a string or cord that is trained about the various sections so as to provide an overall grid or wide grill. The netting is intentionally opened at the end of the device where the arcuate portion 14 interconnects sections 12 and 13 so as to provide an entrance or opening leading into the interior of the netting. Furthermore, sections '14 and 15 are supplied with a handle grip 20 and 21 respectively so that the device may be grasped by the hand of the user. The terminating end of sections 16 and 17 are provided with soft or resilient tips 22 and 23 so that the ends are not sharp or jagged. The netting is reduced so that the interior is substantially restricted by means of cords or strings 24 and 25 which are angularly disposed between the outer cord defining the edge or end of the basket and the cord defining the bottom of the basket.

Referring now in detail to FlGS. 3 and 4, one type of attachment may be a bayonet type fastener while. as illustrated, a tongue and groove or tongue and slot arrangement may be employed. The present instance. a tongue 27 fits into slot 28 formed by the terminating end of tube or rod 14. The reduced end is identified by numeral 30 and includes a key way with a hook 31 impended to engaged within the notch 32 of the tongue 27. Once engaged, rotation is prohibited and disengagement is difficult unless the key or latch 31 is intentionally pressed out of the aperture 32 for release. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, a missile such as a volley ball or basket ball 32 may be introduced through the opening leading into the interior of the netting 18. The device is moved by the hand of the player so as to be in alignment with the ball when thrown by another player so as to enter the apparatus in the direction of the arrow identified by numeral 33. Although the illustration in FIG. 2 shows the procedure in catching a ball, it is to be understood that the device may be used for launching or throwing the ball from the device or apparatus.

Referring in detail to FIG. 5, it is illustrated that a plurality of the devices may be stacked or nested together for shipment, storage or the like. It is to be understood that the devices indicated by numerals 35, 36, 37' are identical.

Referring in detail to FIG. 6, it is noted that the gaming apparatus of the present invention may be shipped in a flat configuration by disassembly of the various component parts. For example, the U-shaped subassemblies may be readily disconnected from the arcuate bar 14 and the netting 18 may be stored in a suitable container such as abag 38.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the game equipment, device or apparatus of the present invention provides a portable basket that may be readily manipulated by both hands of a player to catch an oncoming ball or to throw the ball once it has been captured within the netting. The device may be readily detached for shipment in its flat condition and a plurality of the devices may be readily stacked for storage. A variety of games may be played with the device and the particular rules and procedures for the conduct of the game do not form a part of the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore. the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A game device for catching and throwing a ball comprising:

a rigid frame means defining a four-sided cavity;

a flexible netting carried on said frame means and configured therewith enclosing said cavity except for an entrance leading into the interior of said cavity;

said frame means includes a pair of U-shaped subassemblies joined at the upper terminating ends by an arcuate member maintaining said subassemblies in fixed spaced apart parallel relationship;

handles secured to said frame means for grasping by the hands of a player engaged in the conduct of a game said handles secured to the central portion of each of said U-shaped subassemblies; and

including releasable attachment means interconnecting said terminating ends and said arcuate member.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame means includes a pair of handles, one of said handles being secured to each of said sub-assemblies.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said netting is restricted at its bottom end opposite to its end defining an entrance.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said frame means is narrow at its bottom than at its top so that a plurality of said devices are nestable.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said device may be disassemblied and shipped in a flat position. 

1. A game device for catching and throwing a ball comprising: a rigid frame means defining a four-sided cavity; a flexible netting carried on said frame means and configured therewith enclosing said cavity except for an entrance leading into the interior of said cavity; said frame means includes a pair of U-shaped sub-assemblies joined at the upper terminating ends by an arcuate member maintaining said sub-assemblies in fixed spaced apart parallel relationship; handles secured to said frame means for grasping by the hands of a player engaged in the conduct of a game said handles secured to the central portion of each of said Ushaped sub-assemblies; and including releasable attachment means interconnecting said terminating ends and said arcuate member.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame means includes a pair of handles, one of said handles being secured to each of said sub-assemblies.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said netting is restricted at its bottom end opposite to its end defining an entrance.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said frame means is narrow at its bottom than at its top so that a plurality of said devices are nestable.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said device may be disassemblied and shipped in a flat position. 